Liberty Tennis Hosts Clinic

Members of the Liberty men's and women's tennis teams provide instruction during the two-day clinic.

The Liberty men's and women's tennis programs held their annual clinic for homeschool students on Nov. 27-28 at the Sports Racket indoor tennis facility. This year marked the 10th year that Liberty has hosted the event.

Over 80 students, ranging in ages from 7-16, attended the two-day clinic. Liberty's men's tennis coach Chris Johnson organized and ran the event, along with women's assistant coach Giancarlo Lemmi. Members of both the men's and women's teams provided instruction and tips to the students.

"Every year it is such a joy to see the smiles these kids bring," commented Johnson. "It is truly our privilege to be a part of this ongoing tradition!"

The clinic was split into two time frames each day, with younger students coming earlier in the afternoon and the older students participating in the second half of the three-hour long clinic. Prior to the start of each session, the students were treated to a short doubles match between members of Liberty's men's and women's squads. The students were then split up into four groups based on their tennis playing experience and put through various tennis drills. Following the conclusion of each session, Johnson brought all of the students together for a final motivational message before dismissing the students.

With the fall season behind them, Liberty's men's and women's tennis squads turn their attention to the 2013 spring schedule. On Jan. 11-13, the men's team will travel to Winston-Salem, N.C. to participate in the Wake Forest Invite. The Lady Flames begin their schedule on Jan. 19-21 with the Florida Gulf Coast Invite in Fort Myers, Fla.